In Focus: West Ham target Schneiderlin needs a new start to get back to his best

According to Sky Sports, West Ham United are lining up a £20m move for Everton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin before the January transfer window slams shut on Wednesday.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Sky Sports says that there have been discussions between the two clubs over a deal for the 28-year-old, with Irons boss David Moyes willing to pay £20m for the Frenchman as he looks to strengthen his midfield options.

Sky Sports says that the Scottish boss is desperate to bring in a new body in the middle of the park following injury to Pedro Obiang in the 2-o defeat against Wigan Athletic in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday, and it looks as though Schneiderlin could be the man that he wants.

How has Schneiderlin done this season?

The France international only joined Everton this time last year from Manchester United, and he enjoyed an impressive second-half of the campaign alongside Idrissa Gueye in the middle of the park as the Toffees secured a seventh-place finish in the Premier League.

However, the Merseyside outfit struggled in the early months of the current campaign and the 28-year-old was one of the senior players that came under fire for his below par performances, even being left out of the squad by caretaker boss David Unsworth on one occasion after failing to impress him on the training pitch.

The former Southampton player certainly hasn’t been the same player since this season, although according to WhoScored.com, he has won 52 of the 75 tackles he has made in 24 appearances in the English top flight and the Europa League this term, while he has made 58 interceptions and has successfully completed 10 of the 13 dribbles he has attempted.

Would he be a good signing for West Ham?

If he can recapture the form he showed last season and for Southampton previously, he certainly would be.

It is probably the Frenchman’s attitude that has been brought into question most this term and is one of the reasons why his performances have gone downhill, and a new start at West Ham may be the best thing for the player.

The fact that he was a France international during his time with Saints and Manchester United shows the quality he has when he is on his game, although it remains to be seen whether the east London outfit are actually willing to pay £20m to bring the 28-year-old to the capital before the close of play on Wednesday.

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